Sunsets at Devil's Dyke

We're enjoying a beautiful sunny day here in Brighton which means we should be in for another stunning sunset.

Of course many visitors will be sitting on the beach to watch the sun go down, but if you want to escape the city for a bit and sit on something a bit more comfy than our beloved pebbles, I suggest hopping on a bus to enjoy watching the sun set at Devil's Dyke.


People do sometimes forget that Brighton & Hove is not just a city by the sea, it is a city nestled in between the sea and the coutryside. Getting out into the country is easy as the number 77 goes from Brighton Pier, Churchill Square and Brighton Station and then breezes up to the Downs to enjoy watching the sun set and then catch the last bus back at 8.35pm NB The evening service will be available until 31st August and after that date the day service will change from daily to weekends only.

To get a flavour of the sights you see from the top of the bus you can download the podcast. For mroe details about the number 77 Downs bus go to: www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/breezebuses or call 01273 292480.

Charlotte

Brighton vs Sydney

We had a rather odd press request yesterday asking us to compare Brighton with Sydney (don't ask!) so with our tongues firmly in our cheeks we decided to give it a go and this is what we came up with:

1. Royal Pavilion vs Opera House
   
2. Brighton Pier vs. Sydney Harbour Bridge (hey, that’s just a road really!)
3. Sussex Sharks vs. sharks in the sea
4. Mod fashion vs. “budgie smugglers”
5. AMEX Stadium (brand new) vs. Olympic Stadium (12 years old)
6. Brighton Best vs. Fosters
7. Pebbles vs. sand (which is easier to clean from your toes?!)
8. Hen & stags vs. Bruces and Sheilas
9. Fish & Chips vs. A shrimp on the barbie
10. Brighton Rock vs. Strictly Ballroom

What do you think? Are there are any others you would add to the list or have we completely lost it this time?

Charlotte

How times have changed...

Did you know that the Royal Pavilion & Brighton Museums team are on Flickr? There are loads of fantastic photos on there including some from the archives.

I particularly like this one of Gardner Street as it shows that the North Laine has flourished from a drab street into the vibrant, bustling shopping area it is today:


Gardner Street, circa 1970

















Gardner Street, 2010

Charlotte

Siobhan Says... The Next 24 Hours

Morning! I hope the head isn’t too achy from the night before, as we’re off to do an architectural tour of the city. Get those boots made for walking…

Brighton & Hove is famous for its Regency architecture; sweeping white crescents and grand open squares. We’ll start our tour of Georgian Brighton in Kemptown’s Lewes Crescent (right) and Sussex Square. I used to live here and will admit I am slightly biased, but this really is one of the most beautiful places in the city for architecture. In the centre lie the Kemptown Enclosures, private for residents with a key, so only a peek through the railings is available! Thomas Kemp, the designer of it all, lived in Lewes Crescent and an amble around the square and the crescent is a must, being a great place to play ‘Spot the Blue Plaque’.

We’ll then wander down to the Kemptown seafront on Marine Parade, perhaps stopping on the way for a coffee, a cake (I like cakes) and an antiques snoop in the Kemptown Trading Post & Coffee Shop. The view along the front shows Regency bay windows bumping along toward central Brighton, with unique designs such as the black tiles in Royal Crescent.

As we reach central Brighton, the Pier becomes visible as does the Old Steine, which leads us to the ultimate in Georgian luxury; the Royal Pavilion (left). Built for the Prince Regent between 1787 and 1823, this exotic pleasure palace is a must for any visitor to the city, and will lead our tour up to lunch time. We’ll then head to the Brighton Museum & Art Gallery for a cultural venture and a light lunch, or pop into one of the hundreds of cafes, restaurants and pubs in the city centre which offer fantastic food.



After lunch we’ll saunter back to the seafront and continue our tour toward Hove (actually), passing iconic architecture such as that of the Grand Hotel, before reaching Regency Square. Here we’ll admire the war cenotaph and pretend to be Elizabeth Bennett from Pride and Prejudice, who, along with her sister, tried to find a partner here, when it was used as a military camp from 1793. How romantic.

I digress. Next is Bedford Square, with houses painted an unusual light peach colour and exotic gardens. Further along still, we find Brunswick Square which also gives its name to a village of streets in this area between Brighton and Hove. Home to the grandest Palladian stretch of houses along the seafront, Brunswick Terrace and Square were built for the social elite from 1824, with central gardens well worth a visit.

We then take a final turn to the top end of Brunswick Square, turning left along Western Road to gain a fantastic view of Palmeira Square and Adelaide Crescent (right), opening in stunning white swathes of Georgian houses.

Have you had a wonderful 24 or 48 hours in Brighton & Hove? Do you have more ideas for your perfect weekend in Brighton? Share them with us!

Siobhan Says... The First 24 Hours

We couldn’t find a Simon, so I guess I’ll have to do. Here's my guide to the best 48 hours you will ever spend in the wonderful city-by-the-sea of Brighton & Hove; I hope it fits the bill!

Right, here goes… First thing’s first: everyone knows the reason why people come to Brighton is the beach. With over 648 billion pebbles, sandcastles are a no-no, but the beach is surprisingly comfortable, as evidenced by the 8 million tourists who lie on it each year. And I will admit to falling asleep, bonfires, barbeques and walking along it in storms. Spend as long as you like on the beach – all 48 hours if you feel like it – but definitely take a stroll on the pier.

The Brighton Pier is one of the beauties of Victorian engineering, with elegant ironwork all along the railings and benches. I’d definitely recommend changing a few quid and losing 2p after 2p in the penny arcades. There is a fun-fair at the end of the pier with dodgems, rollercoasters and haunted houses. For kids I’d go on the iconic helter skelter and for the more adventurous, perhaps the Turbo Coaster which leaves you dangling upside-down over the sea. Oh, and get a stick of Rock to take home!



After your pier escapades, fish and chips are a must, giving the true flavour of the seaside with lashings of salt and vinegar. Try the seafront with the Regency Restaurant or take a trip to the Lanes, through the narrow winding alleys full of jewellery shops (and great pubs) to find the Riddle & Finns. Easily my favourite restaurant in the whole of Brighton, this upmarket establishment will definitely satisfy the fishy taste buds.

A bit of bargain-hunting comes next with a trip to the North Laine and the many bohemian, antique and quirky clothing shops on offer to enjoy the constant cries of ‘I had one of those!’ Take time to really wind your way around these ladder of streets full of unique businesses. I think it might be time for a coffee and a cake at one of the numerous cafes, perhaps try Temptation, which really is tempting, or the FARM Market, where there is a quaint and cosy courtyard.

Still bursting with energy (of course you are!) you’ll then head off to Kemptown, ogling the Royal Pavilion as you go (don’t worry we’ll get there tomorrow), and take a walk up the flamboyant and bohemian high street that is St James’ Street, lined with small and independent businesses. Kemptown is Brighton’s gay quarter, and has great night-life with lively bars and great restaurants, and is where we’ll have our dinner at the Sawadee Thai restaurant. Yum.

Afterward let’s go for a boogie, if you’re not too knackered, along the seafront to Lola Lo, a lively night club offering great cocktails and sing-along club classics. If you feel like really singing along, a trip to karaoke haven Lucky Voice is in order, with private booths and waitress service, just make sure you’re ready for the cultural tour tomorrow!

The Painting Pottery Cafe

One of the main benefits of working for VisitBrighton is that we get the opportunity to do things we might not otherwise think of doing.

Last night a few of us visited The Painting Pottery Cafe on North Road and to be honest before we went I was starting to wonder why I was going. I am not the most creative person and not particularly gifted when it comes to art & design, well unless you're impressed by stick men! But I thought I would go along and see what it's all about.

The Cafe is split over two floors, downstairs you can hire for private parties such as celebrations or team building sessions. This is also where they host workshops and where the potters wheels and kiln can be found. Upstairs is the cafe area where smaller groups or drop-ins can sit and get to work. We loved the fact that The Painting Pottery Cafe are working with Capers to provide drinks and snacks for their guests, which is a great example of local, independent businesses working together to benefit them and their customers.

But enough of that what about the actual painting... Well it's not all about pots and plates, there are a wide variety of items available to get arty with including coasters, teapots, mugs, plates and figurines. So if like myself you feel slightly daunted by the prospect of filling a large white plate with a beautiful picture or design you can opt for a model instead. So being a bit of a rock fan I was instantly drawn to the skull, which you can see below along with a picture of me pretending to know what I'm doing:


So once you've chosen your canvas and had a flick through some of the books & illustrations for inspiration it's time to actually pick up your brush and get stuck in. Once I'd got over my initial cautiousness and decided to just give it a go, I really enjoyed it. I'm not going to claim I've produced a masterpiece but then I don't think that's really the point. We all had a really enjoyable evening chatting and there was something very relaxing about doing the painting so that the time just seemed to fly by. To be honest most evenings I'll either watch the TV or sit on my computer so it was a welcome break to do something creative for a change.

Not only does painting pottery make for a fun and quirky night out it's also great for those on a budget. You just pay £5 studio cover so this includes the materials, the glazing etc and then you pay for whichever piece you choose to paint and as prices start from £3.50 you can have a fun night out for less than a tenner.

So here is the skull after I'd decided it was time to put my brush down:
This was how I left it last night, the skull will now be glazed and fired in the kiln ready for me to collect the finished article next week. So I will do another post then to show you how it turned out and I'll hopefully include pictures of some of my colleagues pieces as well as they were far more artistic than my effort!

Charlotte

Family Friendly Brighton

A recent survey by Warburtons the bakers found that people wish they could spend more time with their family of course with the schools about to break up for the summer holidays they are about to get their wish!

While the thought of keeping the kids entertained for weeks can seem a daunting one a trip to Brighton & Hove will help ease the pressure. Of course family trips can be expensive but there are lots of free and good value for money things to do in the city, come rain or shine. Oh dear this is starting to sound like a press release! However having grown-up here I can honestly say there are lots of things to do, perhaps I should forget the spiel and just crack on with a few suggestions:

Fun for free:

• Launch of British Beach Week with Chris Packham - Next week sees the start of the inaugural British Beach Week which celebrates everything coastal. And where better to launch it than Brighton!
  
• Dinosaurs at Churchill Square - The Natural History Museums moving dinosaurs have arrived at Brighton's Churchill Square Shopping Centre.
• Mr Watt, Grumpy Man of Metal - Hove Museum hosts Mr Watt and his many metal creations in this exhibition of metal pieces used to illustrate the popular books.
• Pavilion Garden events - To celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Pavilion Gardens Cafe there will be a range of free children's events through the summer including juggling, magic, storytelling and Punch & Judy.
• Brighton Pier - This iconic attraction has free entry and free deckchairs plus lots of food & drink outlets, fairground attractions and arcades.
• The Book Nook - The children's bookshop in Hove will be hosting a range of family friendly events over the summer including Superhero Day when there will be a prize for the best dressed superhero.
  
  

Admission payable:

• Volks Railway - Britain's oldest electric railway is still running along Brighton beachfront and will take you from the Brighton Pier along to the Peter Pan play area or all the way to the Marina - and back again of course!
  
• Brighton Toy & Model Museum - The museum has one of the largest collections of toys and models in the world, so take a step back to a simpler time when toys didn't need batteries to be cool!
  
• Sea Life Brighton - Marvel as sharks and giant turtles glide above you as you walk through the underwater tunnel and why not take a ride on the glass-bottomed boat too. Money-saving tip - buy your tickets at the Visitor Information Centre rather than on the door as tickets are cheaper. Alternatively you could buy a combination ticket for the Sea Life and the Royal Pavilion.
  
• Preston Manor - This charming manor house by Preston Park allows visitors to step back in time and experience life both upstairs and downstairs.
  

You can find more tips for planning a family break in Brighton on our website or by contacting the Visitor Information Centre.

Charlotte